Diaphragm pumps



DIAPHRAGM PUMPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7, 1958 Q NN INV E N TO Rwu/4M M, HEA/ESO/i/ ATTORNEYS May 23, 1961 w. M. HENDERSON 2,985,111

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS Filed Feb. 7, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR NEYS May 23,1961 w. M. HENDERSON DIAPHRAGM PUMPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1958INVENTOR a//L //v/ M. #Mgg/@50M BY WMM VM AT TORNEYS DIAPHRAGM PUMPSWilliam Michael Henderson, 16 Vicarage Lane, Laleham-on-Thames, EnglandFiled Feb. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 713,992

Claims. (Cl. 10S-150) This invention relates to improvements indiaphragm pumps. It is especially, but not exclusively, concerned withmanually operated pumps lfor use in ships lifeboats, where it isnecessary that the pump should be robust, simple in construction,reliable in operation, and capable of being left untouched for longperiods and yet operable Whenever it may be required. It is a furtherrequirement that such pumps should be capable of dealing with watercontaining small pieces of foreign matter without being stopped fromoperating. n

yThe object of the invention is to produce such a pump having improvedmeans for obtaining access to the interior in the event of the pumprequiring'to be cleared and at the same time of very simple and robustconstruction. It will be appreciated thatl although a pump for a shipslifeboat will be described, the invention may be applied to otherdiaphragm pumps, e.g. low pressure air pumps.

According to one aspect of the invention, a diaphragm pump has a hollowbody open at one end, a transverse partition in the interior of the bodyto divide it into a diaphragm chamber and an outlet chamber, saiddiaphragm chamber being open at said one end, an outlet port in thepartition, an outlet valve co-operating with said port, and a removablecover plate having means to seal said one endof the diaphragm chamberand so arranged that when the cover plate is removed, access can be hadto the outlet valve.

- According to another aspect of the invention, a diaphragm pump has ahollow body open at one end, a transverse partition in the interior ofthe body to divide it into a diaphragm chamber and an outlet chamber,both said diaphragm chamber and said outlet chamber being open to saidone end, an outlet port inthe partition, an

outlet valve cooperating with said port, and a removablev cover platehaving means to seal said open end and arranged to be in sealingengagement with said partition, the arrangement being such that when thecover plate is removed, access may be had to both ksides of the outletvalve.

The pump body may be open at both ends, said one end Abeing sealed bysaid removable cover plate and the other end being provided with ahousing carrying the diaphragm and diaphragm actuating means, andarranged to clamp the periphery ofthe diaphragm against the body to sealsaid other end thereof. A

Alternatively the removable cover plate may carry the diaphragm anddiaphragm actuating means and is arranged to clamp the periphery of thediaphragm against the body to seal said open end thereof. y

The outlet valve may be constituted by a flap extending across anaperture in the partition.

Theinvention will be described byway of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

.Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a diaphragm pumpaccording to a irst embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 2 is a detail section similar to Figure 1 of a secondembodiment,

Patented May 23, 1961 Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 1 of athird embodiment,

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure l of a fourth embodiment, and

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure l of a fifth ernbodiment of theinvention.

Referring now to Figure l, the pump has a body 10 of generallycylindrical shape, its bore being several times its length. An inletpipe 11 is arranged radially, and is served by a non-return inlet valve12 consisting of a rubber flap 13 arranged to seat against the inclinedmouth 1,4 of the inlet pipe so that liquid may be drawn in but isprevented from returning out through the inlet pipe by the seating ofthe ap.

Diametrically opposite the inlet pipe there is an outlet chamber 15which is separated from a diaphragm chamber 16 by a partition 17 whichextends from one part of the periphery of the body to another part anddivides the body into the chambers 15 and 16. The outlet chamber 15 thusformed may be of any desired configuration, such as a segment. There isformed in the partition 17 an outlet port 18 spanned by another rubberflapvalve 19 secured on the outer side of the partition, and arranged toact as a non-return outlet valve. An outlet pipe 20 is-in communicationwitth the outlet chamber 15.

One end of the body 10 is closed by a rubber diaphragm 21 which spansthe whole end of the body and is clamped around its periphery to thebody by a housing 22. The housing is slotted at 23 to allow passage toan `actuating lever 24 which is pivoted at 25 between a pair of flanges26 formed on the housing on the side remote -from the body. A web 27 isformed between the lower portions of the upstanding edges of the flanges26. lntermediate its length, the actuating lever 24 has pivotallysecured thereto an assembly comprising two clamping plates 28, 29 whichgrip the diaphragm 21, one on each side, so that it is sandwichedbetween them, the two plates being secured by a bolt 30 which is passedthrough the diaphragm.

At the other end of the body there is a removable cover plate 31arranged to be clamped so as to seal the end of the body and be insealing engagement With the partition 17. For this purpose the coverplate has two resilient gaskets 32, 33 secured thereto, while at itsouter side it is caused to be forced against the pum-p body by a cam 34operated by a handle 35 on a shaft 36 journalled loosely in bearings inlugs 37 projecting from the pump body. The partition 17 lies in a planeat an angle of approximately 45 to the axis of the cylindrical pumpbody, and one edge of the partition (that which is sealed by the coverplate 31) is a free edge, Whereas the other edge is joined to the pumpbody and conveniently the partition is formed integrally with said body.

The result of this formation is that the chambers 15 and 16 are bothopened and both sides of the outlet valve 19 are exposed when the coverplate 31 is removed. The outlet valve 19 is therefore readily accessiblefor inspection -and can be cleared if it has become obstructed, as alsocan the inlet valve 12.

The cylindrical pump body 10 is arranged with a symmetrical pattern ofthreaded or clearance holes (not shown) equally spaced around itsperiphery to receive set screws or bolts (not shown) to secure thehousing 22 to the body 10. Due to the equal spacing of the holes it ispossible for the housing to be located in any one of a variety ofpositions, thereby enabling the actuating lever to be placed in the mostconvenient position having regard to the eventual location of the pump.

Referring now to Figure 2, the pump there shown is similar to the pumpdescribed and shown in Figure 1 except for the arrangement of thehousing and the acansa-i171 short, cranked actuating lever 3S which ispivoted. atv39- between upstanding tlanges 26 on the housing 2,2. Theupstanding edges of the flanges Z6 are integral with a web 27 whichextends upwardly so as to leave only a comparatively small slot 40through which the actuating lever 38 projects. The slot 4'@ is providedwith a rubber grommet 41 which surrounds the lever 33 and excludes dirtfrom the interior of the housing Z2. The upper end of the lever 38 isprovided with a socket 42 arranged to receive the lower end of anextension lever 43.

It will be seen that the valve 19 is as accessible in the embodiment ofFigure 2 as in the embodiment of Figure l. The actuating mechanism shownin Figure 2 is useful when the pump is situate at the bottom of a boatlocker and is operated by the extension lever 43 from outside thelocker.

Referring now to Figure 3, the pumpthere shown is also similar to thepump shown in Figure 1 except for thearrangement of the housing 2,2 andthe actuating means. The same reference numerals are used in Figure 3 todenote parts which are the same as those in Figure 1.

In Figure 3, the diaphragm plate 28 is pivotally at tached to an arm 44itself pivoted at 45 between the flanges 26 on the housing 22. Thevdiaphragmrplate 28 is also pivotally attached to a link 46V which inturn is pivotally connected to a cranked actuating lever: 47. Theactuating lever 47 is pivoted between `the Vflanges 26 at 48. Webs 27join the upstandingedges of the flanges 26 leaving a slot 49 which givespassage to theactuating lever.

It will be seen that as the lever 47 is moved through one stroke, thejunction will move upwardly to-the position shown in dotted lines.During this movement the diaphragm will move to the right and thenreturn to the position shown in the figure. It follows that for everystroke of the actuating lever 47 the diaphragm will complete twostrokes. Both sides of the valve 19 are accessible as in the pumps shownin Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a somewhat differentconstruction in which one end o f the pump body is sealed by a platewhich is not removed, except for major overhaul and access to both.sides of the exhaust valve is obtained by removing the housingcarryingthe diaphragm and actuating means.

In Figure 4, 5l indicates the pump body divided intoa diaphragm chamber52 and an outlet chamber 53 byV a partition 54. The partition has anoutlet portSS closed by a rubber outlet valve S6. `One end of thebody iSclosed by a plate 57 which is secured thereto by screws 53 and is notnormally removed except fora major overhaul. The partition is alsoprovided `with-a port 59.

which is open to the other end of the body .from that closed by theplate 57. The body is provided with an inlet pipe 60 and an inlet valve611. Y

The other end of the body is closed by a. diaphragm 62 which is mountedbetween two plates 63 and 64. The plate 63 is pivotally connected to anactuating lever 65 itself pivotally mounted at 66 between anges 67formed on a housing 68. The housing 68 clamps` the periphery of thediaphragm against the body. to seal the latter. The housing also hasaportion 69 which bears against one side of the diaphragm, forcing itagainst the body to close the port 59 of the outlet chamber 53. Thehousing is slotted at 7@ to give passage to the actuating handle and thelower portions of the upstanding-flanges 67 are integral with a web 7l.

The housing is secured to the body by studs and wing nuts, not shown,and it will be seen that whenthe housing is removed, together with thediaphragm, both sides of the outlet valve 56 are exposed, one sidethroughthe lil 4 port 59 and the other side from the diaphragm chamber52.

Referring now to Figure 5, the pump there shown 1s somewhat similar tothat shown in Figure 4 and may conveniently be mounted horizontally asshown.

In Figure 5 the same reference numerals are use d for parts which arethev same as in Figure 4. Thus 1n Figure 5 the inlet pipe 60 is mountedin the plate 57 and Y the inlet valve 61 is also mounted on the plate57. The

partition 54 divides the body into a diaphragm chamber and an outletchamber, but the outlet port 55 is the only port formed ,in thepartition. There is no port 59 as in the pump of Figure 4.

Access to the outlet valve 56 is obtained by removing the housing 68 anddiaphragm 62 as in Figure 4. In the pump of Figure 5 however access isonly obtained to one side of the exhaust valve, i.e. from the diaphragmchamber 52.

It will be seen that nin all the embodiments of the invention which havebeen described access lmay easily be obtained to one or both sides ofone or both of the valves by removing either an easily removable coverplate or a housing which carries the diaphragm and actuating means.

If. desired, the actuating lever of any of the embodiments describedmaybe provided with a weight of such a size and arranged in such aposition that if the pump is mounted on an oscillating object, e.g. arocking boat, the inertia of theweight will automatically operate thepump. Preferably the weight is arranged on the lever above its pivotpoint on the housing.

Either or both of the valves may be arranged to serve as a pressurerelease va-lve. Thus, if it is desired to use the pump in aninstallation where it must not exceed a given iigure, the flap of theinlet or outlet valve may be arranged to be of such a size relatively toits port that when the predetermined pressure is exceeded the flap willdeform and be blown into the port, thus preventing further delivery bythe pump until the ap is pushed back again and so restored to its normaloperation.

Instead of rubber diaphragms, or flap valves, there may be employedcomponents of rubber-like materials sucn as synthetic rubber orelastomers. Disc orY ball valves may be used instead of ap valves ifdesired.

Moreover, instead of the body and cover plates of the pump'being formedoffmetal, they may be of moulded syntheticr resin, the material beingchosen not only for its strength but also for its ability to withstanddeleterious effects from the liquid being pumped. In the event of theuse of such a material, itrnay be desirable to have certain parts ofmetal, eg. the pivot for the actuating lever.

The bolt passed through the diaphragmto secure the clamping platesY mayforman extension of one clamping plate and may have at its opposite endthe pivotal attachment for the actuating lever.

I claim:

l. A diaphragm pump comprising a hollow annular body formed with aninlet and an outlet, a iirst valve associated with said inlet, apartition formedin said body, said partition having a port therein anddening outlet and pumping chambers, a second valve cooperating with saidpartition at said port, a removable cover plate adapted to cooperate insealing engagement with said annular body and an edge of said partition,a retaining means to hold the cover in position, a diaphragm, adiaphragm housing, said diaphragm housing cooperating with said hollowbodyvfor retaining said diaphragm in po-V sition therein, and adiaphragm actuating lever, said actuating lever pivotally secured at itsend on said housing and also at a point intermediate its length on saidhousing,

said outlet chamber and pumping chamber having the interiors thereofsimultaneously accessible from the exterior of said. hollow bodyy withremoval of said cover member and exposure of both sides of said secondvalve.

2. A diaphragm pump as described in claim l, wherein said diaphragmactuating `lever is provided with a weight member whereby.:oscillation'of the 'bodyfion which the pump is mounted producedautomatic operation of said PUmP- t 3. A diaphragm pump comprising incombination a substantially annular body formed with an inlet and anoutlet therein, an inlet valve, a segmental partition formed in said'body so as to dene a pumping chamber and an outlet chamber, saidpartition having an aperture formed therein, a resilient flap valveoperably associated with said aperture in said partition, a removablecover plate cooperating with one end of said annular body and with oneedge of said partition, in sealing engagement with said annular body andthe edge of said partition, retain ing means for holding said coverplate in position, a diaphragm, a pair of rigid plates, said diaphragmdisposed between said rigid plates, a lug fixed to one of said plates, adiaphragm housing for holding said diaphragm peripherally against saidannular body, a link member pivotally attached to said lug, and adiaphragm actuating member pivotally arranged between said housing andsaid link member, said lever attached to said housing at a pointintermediate its ends and attached to said link at one of its ends.

4. A fluid pressure transmitting device comprising, a body having acompression chamber and a discharge chamber formed therein, a partitionseparating the chambers, outlet means for discharging iluid from thedischarge chamber, a normally closed unidirectional valve in thepartition between said chambers adapted to be opened to pass fluid fromsaid compression chamber to said discharge chamber, said body havingmeans for varying the pressure in said compression chamber and inletmeans for admitting iluid thereinto, and said body having a portion ofthe exterior wall thereof adjacent both chambers readily removable togive simultaneous access to the interior of both said chambers and bothssides of saidpartition when removed, said partition having an edgethereof in abutting sealing relationship with said removable portion ofthe body vand there are releasable locking means operably associatedwith said removable portion for maintaining same in sealing relationshipwith the body and said edge of the partition, said locking meanscomprising a retainer bar secured on the exterior of the body biasedagainst said removable portion.

5. A uid pressure transmitting device, comprising a body having acompression chamber and a discharge chamber formed therein, a partitionseparating the chambers, outlet means for discharging fluid yfrom thedischarge chamber, a normally closed unidirectional valve in thepartition between said chambers adapted to be opened to pass fluid fromsaid compression chamber to said discharge chamber upon increase offluid pressure in said compression chamber, said body having means forvarying the pressure in said compression chamber and inlet means foradmitting fluid thereinto, and said body having a portion of theexterior wall thereof adjacent both chambers readily removable to givesimultaneous access to the interior of said chambers and both sides ofsaid partition when removed, said pressure varying means comprising adiaphragm assembly, actuating lever means pivotally attached to saidassembly and to the body and having a portion thereof exterior of thebody for manipulating same, and said lever means is weighted toautomatically render the device operable upon oscillation of the body.

6. A pump comprising, a hollow body open at one end thereof, atransverse partition in the interior of the body having an edge oppositesaid open end, said partition dividing said body into a pumping chamberand outlet chamber each adjacent said open end, an outlet valve in saidpartition accessible from both sides of the partition through said openend, a removable cover member secured in sealing engagement over saidopen end and with the edge of the partition, and means for removablyholding the cover member in such sealing position, said pump-- ing andoutlet chambers having ingress and egress means respectively, and saidpumping chamber having means 7. A pump comprising, a hollow body open atone end thereof, a transverse partition in the interior of the bodyhaving an edge opposite said open end, said partition dividing said bodyinto a pumping chamber and outlet chamber each adjacent said open end,an outlet valve in said partition accessible from both sides of thepartition through said open end, a removable cover member secured insealing engagement over said open end and with the edge of thepartition, and means for removably holding the cover member in suchsealing position, said pumping and outlet chambers having ingress andegress means respectively, and said pumping chamber having means on theinterior thereof for aifecting transfer of fluid between said ingressand egress means through said chambers and outlet valve, both saidchambers being simultaneously accessible upon removal of said covermember and said last mentioned means includes a diaphragm, a housing forholding said diaphragm in said pumping chamber and a diaphragm actuatinglever pivoted at one end thereof on said housing and at an intermediatepoint thereof on said diaphragm, a pair of rigid plates fixed to thediaphragm one on either side thereof, one of said plates having a lug towhich said actuating lever is pivotally connected, and said actuatinglever is provided with a weight whereby oscillation of the body on whichsaid pump is mounted produces automatic operation of said pump.

8. A diaphragm pump comprising a hollow annular body, an inlet andoutlet formed in said body, a valve cooperating with said inlet, apartition formed in said annular body, said partition disposed so as tofollow a cord subtending an arc of said outlet-containing body, saidpartition having a port formed therein, an outlet valve cooperating withsaid port, a removable cover plate secured to one side of said hollowbody having a portion thereof disposed on opposite sides of saidpartition whereby removal of said cover plate gives access to both sidesof said partition, a diaphragm, a diaphragm housing for retaining saiddiaphragm in sealing engagement Witl the periphery of said annular bodyand with one edge of said partition, and a diaphragm actuating leverpivoted at one end thereof to said housing and at a medium point to saiddiaphragm.

9. A diaphragm pump comprising a hollow annular body, an inlet conduit,an outlet conduit, an inlet flap valve, a partition formed in saidannular body, said partition disposed so as to follow a cord subtendingan arc of said body wherein said outlet conduit is contained, an outletvalve connected to said partition at an aperture formed therein, aremovable cover plate having sealing means thereon and connected to oneside of said annular body having portions thereof disposed on both sidesof said partition to permit simultaneous access to both sides of thepartition on removal of said cover plate, a diaphragm, a pair of rigidplates on either side of said diaphragm and attached thereto, a lugmember xedly attached to one of said plates, a diaphragm housing forretaining said diaphragm in sealing engagement with the periphery ofsaid annular body and with one edge of said partition, and a diaphragmactuating lever pivotally attached at one end to said housing and anintermediate point to said lug member.

10. A diaphragm pump comprising a hollow annular body formed with anoutlet, a partition formed in said body, a port formed in said partitioncommunicating with said outlet, an outlet valve secured to saidpartition over said port, a cover plate removably secured to Yone sideYof said hollow body with portions thereof on both sides of saidpartition whereby removal of said cover plate gives access to both sides0f said partition, said plate having an inlet conduit therein, an inletvalve secured to said plate covering said inlet conduit, a diaphragm, adiaphragm housing cooperating with said annular body to secure saiddiaphragm along its periphery to said annular body, and a diaphragmactuating lever pivotally attached at one end to said housing at a pointintermediate its ends to said diaphragm.

References Citedn the ijle offY this patentk f Y YUm'rED STATES PATENTSKnowles Sept'. 12,;1871 Lloyd Ian. 26,1904 Parker MayV1Q,1910 Loud Feb.V17, 191'4 Langan Aug. 14, 1945 Herricket al. Jan. 6, 1953 FOREIGNPATENTS

